Source link : https://rugby-247.com/2024/12/14/sports-tourism-in-the-gba-macau-rugby/
UTM Comments is a partnership between Macau News Agency and Macao University of Tourism
By Mary Eddy U and Miguel Oliveira
Aiming to be a World Centre for Tourism and Leisure, Macau has successfully attracted world-class sports events, such as the International Table Tennis Federation’s World Cup in April 2024. Looking ahead, Macau is set to co-host the 15th National Games in 2025. However, not all sport events in Macau rely on world class international athletes. Participatory sport events are also being held in Macau – for the love of the game.
Participatory sport events involve tournaments and games where attendees are the participants. Often family members or friends attend the event as spectators. These events offer leisure and excitement through being a part of the action rather than just passively watching. The excitement and satisfaction are irrespective of sporting ability, with accessible entry requirements for many.
Mary Eddy U, lecturer at UTMMiguel Oliveira, lecturer at UTM
In the Greater Bay Area (GBA), grassroots rugby teams for kids, youth and adults show this trend. The Macau Bats Rugby Club organizes tournaments for youth aged 5-18, supported by volunteer coaches and corporate sponsors. Schools in Macau are developing rugby teams as an extracurricular activity, and there are active co-ed adult teams for both touch and contact rugby. These activities promote healthy physical activity in a friendly and supportive environment. But they are more than just fun.
Regular tournaments send Macau players and their families throughout the GBA. Tournaments in Macau attract teams from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Grassy fields, such as the area next to the Taipa sport stadium, are converted into bustling makeshift tournament grounds. Many families turn these tournaments into weekend getaways, spending on Macau’s hotels, transportation, restaurants and nightlife. Local businesses also benefit, setting up local product fairs and selling food and drinks at these events.
With the goal of building friendship and mutual cooperation in the GBA, the Macau Bats Rugby Club participates in 6 Mini’s Rugby Festivals in Hong Kong each season, for players under 12. In April, Macau hosted its annual Mini’s Rugby Festival for players up to 10, drawing teams from Hong Kong and mainland China. It is estimated that including players, family members and friends, this tournament alone brings in 1500 to 2000 visitors to Macau. Due to the limited facilities available, Macau can only host certain age groups, and can only invite six different clubs each season with one team per age group. Each year additional GBA rugby clubs express interest in joining, so the tournament could be 2 to 3 times larger than its current version, if larger or additional facilities were available.
Recently the Singapore Dragons also visited Macau with three kids’ teams, highlighting international interest. The adult Macau Rugby club also holds several Touch Rugby Festivals annually including the Lusophonia Cup, the Cotai Cup, and the GBA Cup, which was won by the Shenzhen Badgers in 2024. In September 2024, The Hong Kong Galaxy Touch Team visited Macau for a friendly match. As Donald Shaw of the Macau Rugby Club noted, “An enjoyable few games showed that we in Macau still have a few hills to climb with our game.” For contact rugby, Macau promotes both 15 a-side and 10 a-side rugby, recently hosting a 3-way tournament with University, Hong Kong Scottish and Macau, which Macau won.
Greater support and awareness of these grassroots sport events can increase participation, develop economic potential, and enable access to more facilities for their tournaments. Participatory events like these are a promising way to encourage regional tourism, boosting expenditure and encouraging overnight stays in Macau.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-12-15 02:03:36
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